title: The effect of curcumin on human B-cell immortalization by Epstein-Barr virus.
abstract: Cyclosporine is a commonly used immunosuppressant in solid-organ transplantation. It is, however, associated with an increased incidence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)induced post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). In this study, human B lymphocytes isolated from healthy volunteers were immortalized in vitro with EBV. The effect of oxidative stress mediated by cyclosporine A or hydrogen peroxide on in vitro B cell immortalization was studied by coculturing immortalized B cells with cyclosporine A and hydrogen peroxide. Curcumin, a phenolic extract of the spice turmeric, was then used to observe its effect on this process. We found that in vitro B-cell immortalization with EBV was promoted by the oxidative stress induced by cyclosporine A and hydrogen peroxide, with the maximum effect seen at concentrations of 500 ng/ml and 100 microM, respectively. Curcumin blocked the B-cell immortalization in a dose-dependent fashion with nearly complete inhibition at 20 microM. We conclude that, because both hydrogen peroxide and cyclosporine A strongly promote in vitro B-cell immortalization with EBV (the putative process responsible for PTLD) and curcumin, an extract of a common spice is an effective inhibitor of this process; curcumin may be an effective adjunct in the prevention of PTLD in the patients undergoing therapy with cyclosporine A.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ranjan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siquijor
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nagabhuskahn
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000821:virology*; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000821:virology; D018384:Oxidative Stress
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D003474:Curcumin